The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-07-01
A HELPMEET INDEED.

Just on the confines OF one of our large
manufacturing towns, there stands an
imposing residence of brown stone,
elevated by terraces above the road,
surrounded by stately trees, and with an
extent Of garden stretching on all sides.
l hal b-cn employed in panel-Painting
q cOFtht. large bedrooms for some weeks,
and my curiosity and interest had been
excited 10y the fact that the master Of
the house Mr.. Joseph Randall, was a
tall, handsome man of less than fifty
years, while his wife was certainly
twenty years older. feeble old woman.
Yet never were any young couple more
sccmingly devoted than this oddly-cOn-
traSted pair; and l, living in the house,
with constant occupation there, certainly
had good opportunity for Witnessing
any matrimonial differences, had any
existed.
When nv work was done, I returned
70 my own home, and several months
later, by quite an accident. not neces-
eary 70 record here / learned the story
of Nr. RandaIrs marriage.
From early boyhOod hs was n "ne'er-
do-well." Money ran through his fingers
like sand. and after his father, his gran J.
futhcr and his uncle had each started
him in business. only TO end in failure,
the family decided that he would never
be good for anything.
He was a very handsome man, with
college education. the instincts and
manners Of a gentleman, and kindly in
feeling; but he was good-natured, trust
ful, and too easily influenced by whoever
took the trouble To dictate to him.
Al thirty he found himself bankrupt,
out OF business, and without any de-
finite prospects; and while he was seri-
ously considering suicide as a way out
of his difficulties, he received an
invitation TO visit an old friend In
Grantley, pretty village near the sea.
He found Grantley at the height of
its summer season, and his own attrac-
tions very readily acknowledged by the
ladies, who danced with him, hirtoS with
him, strolled on the beach by moonlight
with him. and accepted his graceful at
tcHtiuns with smiling pleasure.
Ii was here that he was introduced to
Miss Susan Harte and her niece and sup
posed heircss, Miss Maude Maxwell.
They were ladies of position, refined
and graceful, the younger one lovely in
the freshness of her youth, n pretty
blonde face, and slender figure; the
older one stately and dignifed, showing
in every word n cultivated intellect and
strong common-senSe.
Bob White. Mr.. Randall's friend, after
the introduction. spoke his mind with
frank II vulgar freedom:
"Go I'm for the heiress, Joe. They
say the old lady is worth a quarter of n
million. and Miss Maude is her only rela-
tive. Anyone can see that they are de-
voted 10 each other
And anyone could also see every evil
dence of wealth in their surroundings.
Their own carriage, with two magni-
hccnt horses was with them for their
daily use, their costumes were of the
most costly materials. their iewelry
was superb A lady's maid attended
them, and they occupied an entire suite
Of rooms a; the only hotel.
Friendship led TO intimacy. and Mr..
Pandall did try to fascinate the heiress,
whose simperinG prettineSe covered q
Bold heart and commonplace mind
To dress well, TO be a centre OF attraO-
tion for howing beaux. were the objects
OF her ambition, and her conversation
never rose above the level OF the smallest
OF small-tHik.
Though be had always seemed 10 lack
business ability. Mr.. Randall was no
fool. and he found himself evening after
evening turning from Miss MaNwells
vapid talk to the fresh strong mind that
shone through her aunt's conversation
Miss HArte was an accomplished
musician. with a rich contraltO voice, and
love Of music had always amounted to a
passion with Mr. Randall so there was
a strong bond OF sympathy there
The summer wore away pleasantly,
and IL was only when closed cottages
and deserted beach told OF departing
guests that Joseph Randall asked him
self seriously how his summer filtration
was 10 end
He was not & conceited man, yet
Maude Maxwell had let him see very
plainly that she had a preference for
his society and attentions. Yet he
shrank from the prospect OF wife with
no idea above dress and gayety, how
ever richly she might be lowered
Loving neither. in the true sense Of
the word. he certainly found more pleas
ure in the society of the older lady, and
then a little demon OF policy whispered
20 him that, after all. the money was
Miss Harte's, and. with her social posi-
ton and real attractions, she might
marry, and so deprive Maude OF her
supposed inheritance
II was true that she was old enough TO
be his mother; but handsome woman,
and one so thoroughly tasteful in dress,
could always appear younger than actual
years warranted, and-he liked her;
yes. he certainly respected and liked
For two or three days ne hesitated.
shrinking vet from placing himself in
the position of n fortune-hunter, and
then he wrote a manly tender letter
TO Miss Harte, asking her TO be his
wife.
He had sufficient tact TO avoid fattery
and not to make sickeninC protcstations,
and the letter bore the stamp OF sin
cerity on every line. An hour later his
messenger brought an answer, and Miss
Hur;e was his afiianccd wife.
EScorting the ladies to their home, n